§ 70. Major COLVILLEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the large increase in the quantity of foreign manufactured woodwork imported into this country during the last year; and if he will consider what steps may be taken to encourage a greater use of British articles in a market which is to a large extent created by State-aided house-building?
§ Miss LAWRENCEMy right hon. Friend is aware of the recent increase in the figures for imported builders' woodwork. He has already sent the hon. Member a copy of a circular recently issued to urge local authorities to make use, to the utmost extent practicable, of goods and materials of home production or manufacture, but, as my right hon. Friend pointed out to him on the 20th March last, so far as State-assisted building under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, is concerned, Section 10 prohibits the imposition of any condition which would prevent materials from being purchased in the cheapest market either at home or abroad.
§ Major COLVILLEIn view of the unemployment in the woodwork industry, and in view of the fact that approximately £500,000 worth of foreign window frames and doors have been imported during the last four months, may I ask whether the hon. Lady does not consider the time is ripe for more drastic action to ensure a still further use of British material?
§ Mr. DAYWere not the orders for this woodwork given during the lifetime of the previous Government?
§ Miss LAWRENCEI have no information with regard to the question of the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Day). With regard to the powers of my right hon. Friend, I have already told the House that Section 10 prohibits the imposition of any such conditions.